I'm scared to death when I hear a buzz nearby. I scan the room and I see that it's Lawrence's phone! I cautiously move towards it, and the brightness makes me squint. The time appears on the screen. 10:27PM. Day 1, almost down. Two more to go.
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLW9NNmoZzA
The phone buzzed because it received a text from a blocked number.
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCI9mpfPHOh
«If you want to save your friend, you must obey my commands. I'm sure we'll get along fine… Jade. Reply within 2 minutes, or else you'll hear the gunshot.»
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwwZnKQ8MN
As I read the words on the screen before my eyes, my back slides against a nearby wall. And I ponder.
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpLt7VN5iW
10:29PM. Is it too late? I scramble to type as fast as I can:
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhp8Fb5o72
«If you hurt him, you'll go back to jail.»
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5C9ZV4RT6
A nearby candle flickers. It illuminates the clock above it.
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtDmiawZx0
I've always loved clocks. It's so similar to friendship. So similar to what I have—er, had…— with Edward. The second hand moves the fastest, so it represents endurance, because it's the quality you'll need the most. You'll always have ups and down, so you'll always need to endure the downs, the arguments, the "separating factors"...
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYysWO6Ayy
The minute hand doesn't move as quick, but it still moves constantly. This hand equals forgiveness. It's not everyday that you need to forgive a person, but it still is a quality you'll need to master to have everlasting friendships.
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFH1q8QLRP
Finally, the hour hand is love. The hour hand moves slowly, just like love grows overtime. Slowly. But it's there. You might not realize the hour hand moved until the hour changes. You might not realize you've come to love someone until the circumstances change. Like if that person is brutally beaten to death for standing up for a person being bullied. Yeah.
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPR0kkO07gs
Buzz.
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMZ3zcYAGb
«Who's going to tell? You? I can easily shoot a bullet right through your head, little one. So careful you don't step on my toes. Now, do you agree to be my temporary slave?»
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXbcjEHEZy
No. Of course not. Me? A slave to save someone I just met?
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DepfzD3GL
Buzz.
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlK2EaDaqOJ
«I'm running out of patience.»
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlP2D0usVHm
This is going to be a long weekend...
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSPbJcjtJL
«As long as Lawrence's safety is guaranteed... Then I agree to be your slave...»
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaDIxfpApk
What kind of slave will I be?
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmkQfSFRqV
«Great. Your first task starts tomorrow. Remember, Lawrence's and your lives are on the line.»
575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtgP6weB84
11:04PM. I go to one of the reclining armchairs, hoping I wake up alive.575Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveIdjcq5EG
